“Challenging Perceptions” theme to aim at sensitizing the society towards the immense potential of street children

Aviva Life Insurance once again extended its support towards International Day for Street Children. This year, Aviva conceptualised a special theme “Challenging Perceptions” to build further momentum. “Challenging Perceptions” will aim at sensitizing the society towards the immense potential of street children. As a part of Aviva’s international “Street to School” program, this initiative will spread awareness regarding the rights of underprivileged street children and counter the prevalent negative attitude towards them. This will encourage their positive contribution towards the society.

In India Aviva has partnered with Save the Children to organize cultural activities and awareness programmes to sensitize people towards the issues of street children in India. Aviva employees have also volunteered to visit the street to school projects and share the first meal of the day – Breakfast – with the children. The employees are also organizing Breakfast fundraisers across some of the branches to raise money for the Aviva Street to School programme.

Gaurav Rajput, Director Marketing, Aviva India said, “At Aviva, we are committed towards ensuring the peace and prosperity of our customers. However, we have a wider commitment towards the less privileged, which we have been fulfilling through our impactful CSR program – “Street to School” which has helped 400,000 children move closer to a better life. This is an initiative in the same direction and we hope that we will be able to encourage participation to ensure the well being of these less privileged children, who are just as capable as any of us.”

There are millions of children surviving on the streets, often facing violence and round-ups by authorities. These children are often denied opportunities and thus their right to a just life. However, given an opportunity, a street kid may be equally capable of making a meaningful contribution towards the society

International Day for Street Children was first launched in April, 2011 by the Consortium for Street Children (CSC), a leading international network dedicated to realising the rights of street children worldwide, in partnership with Aviva with an aim to provide a better life to street children by spreading awareness about their rights.

As part of its support, Aviva also recently commissioned a film that brings the voices of street children all over the world to life. This film features young people from El Salvador, Tanzania, Ireland, India and the US talking about their hopes, dreams and fears for the future. Aviva’s support of the International Day for Street Children is part of its wider commitment to society, complementing the traditional role it has in providing customers with prosperity and peace of mind by also supporting those who are not its customers.